With more than two million U.S. teens affected by depression, an influential medical panel is urging physicians to routinely screen their teen patients for depression. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a government-appointed blue-ribbon group of medical experts that sets health guidelines for doctors on a wide range of health issues, most depressed […]
More Sleep Can Improve ADHD Symptoms
A common behavior disorder that affects 8% to 10% of U.S. school-aged children, ADHD – attention deficit hyperactivity disorder — has been linked to children’s failure to get enough sleep. In a new study (see our April 29 post), researchers at the University of Helsinki in Finland found that children who typically received less than […]
Can Men and Women Just be Friends?
Harry asked this question in the 1989 movie When Harry Met Sally. Harry insisted that men and women cannot be platonic friends because the man will always want a sexual relationship. Sally was appalled at this idea and insisted that Harry was being small minded. After all, she and Harry were “friends.” Then they got […]
ADHD Linked to Lack of Sleep in Kids
Lack of sleep in children increases their risk of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to new research published in the April 27, 2009 online edition of Pediatrics. In a study of 7- and 8-year-olds conducted by researchers at the University of Helsinki in Finland, children who received less than 7.7 hours of sleep […]
Generic Drug Side Effects May be Different
In a previous post Are Generic Medicines Just as Good?, I made the point that I thought in general, generic drugs are just a good as the brand name drug. I still believe this, however, the key phrase here is “in general.” I have seen a few medications that result in different side effects when […]
Night Owls Stay More Alert Longer
Each person has an internal biological clock that determines his own personal sleep/wake cycle. Called circadian rhythm, your individual 24-hour clock determines whether you’re an early riser or a night owl (see our April 24 post). Interestingly, new research conducted by researchers in Brussels, Belgium indicates that people who wake later in the morning, 9 a.m. […]